Weekly Letter from the Pastor

The Holy Eucharist, Vatican II tells us, is "the source and summit of the Christian life" (Lumen gentium, 11). The Eucharistic is always celebrated within the context of the Liturgy, commonly referred to as the Mass in the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church. Most of us take the rhythm and language of the Mass for granted. While many of us have experienced some dramatic transformations in the specific language, orientation, and external structure of the Mass over the past sixty years, the Mass is essentially the same as it has ever and always been.

It is good at times to refresh our understanding and celebration of the Mass. As part of our faith formation in both the school and religious education program, the students attend a teaching Mass. This is the usual celebration of Mass but with a commentator who carefully explains the various movements, gestures and parts of the Mass to the assembly. This has been a very beneficial program and it has been well-received by the participants.

We have decided to experiment with a teaching Mass for the entire parish – but especially for our RCIA candidates – at the 12:30 p.m. Mass on Sunday, October 29th. We invite all who are interested and available to attend to participate in this Liturgy. As there will be the commentary along with the Mass, expect it to last a bit longer than usual. Such a Mass might take about 75 minutes to complete. This depends a little on how many people are in attendance, of course.

On Sunday, November 5th, again at the 12:30 p.m. Mass, we will have the Mass for the dedication of the Science Lab. The blessing of the lab will occur immediately after the Mass. The lab will be open all morning on Sunday for parishioners to visit and tour. We are proud of the work we have done and believe that it is an asset for our school. I am happy to announce that Father Gabriel Zeis, T.O.R., Vicar for Catholic Education for the diocese will be the principal celebrant for the Mass and he will then lead us in the dedication of the lab. We hope that many current, past and future SBS students will be able to attend. Before coming to the Diocese of Trenton, Father Zeis was the president of St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania.

Our series on the Reformation is off to a great start. Hopefully you will be able to join us this week as Father Todd Carter from Holy Innocent's Church in Neptune speaks on recent ecumenical initiatives. Father is a convert from the Dutch Reformed Church (Colts Neck). He will also discuss his journey to the Catholic faith with us.

Hopefully the Fall weather comes soon. My allergies have been quite miserable, and I am sure the same is true for many of you as well!